Vladivostok port workers defend their rights

Tomorrow, 4th of October, 2016 dockworkers of Vladivostok Sea Commercial Port (VSCP) will hold a meeting to defend their rights, as announced by the press service of the Dockers’ Union of Russia.

The mass action is caused by the forced redundancy of the dockers of the port’s container terminal, violation of their labour rights and increased pressure on the union members on the part of the management. The aim of the action is to draw attetion of the administration, controlling bodies, public organisations and mass media to the negative situation at the VSCP.

59 dockers of the VSCP container terminal were sacked on the 13th of September, 2016, due to a drop in the throughput, as was explained by the management, which caused on average 22.5 hours of idle time per worker in June, 2016. Later on, the transport prosecutor’s office revealed violations of the labour legislation during the sacking process.

According to the port’s emplyees the redundancy was fictitious, as instead of the redundant position of «dockworker» the management introduced new positions «port worker» and «crane driver» with the same functions, but without the privileges and social guarantees provided to the dockworkers by the VSCP collective agreement.

The Dockers’ Union of Russia calls for restoration of the redundant workers, stop changing the staff list and stop persecution of the union members.

Vladivostok Sea Commercial Port (part of the FESCO Transportation Group of the Summa Group holding) provides handling services for general, bulk and container cargoes. The port’s facilities are located on 15 berths of the Vladivostok port, total berth length exceeds 4 km. The company is one of the largest general ports of the Russian Far East.